Apparatus for making ball point pens



y 7, 1957 cs. D. JONES 2,791,137

APPARATUS FOR MAKING BALL POINT PENS Original Filed NOV. 18, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 36 11 x 2: T Q i 44 7.6 as 8? 46 H ,46 7e 2 12% a 18 57 -42 34 6502 65 17000; As JONES firm/aways.

May 7, 1957 a. D. JONES APPARATUS FOR MAKING BALL POINT PENS Original Filed Nov. 18, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 GEUR GE 1701/64/15 JONES G. D. JONES May 7, 1957 6503 05 120061. IYES United States Patent APPARATUS FOR MAKING-BALL POINT PEN S George'Douglas Jones, Los AngelesvCalifi, assjgnor to B4! Pen Companyl'Los Angeles,.,Calif., a corporation of California Original vapplication November 18, 1947, Serial No. 786 650. jDivi'ded rant! 1 this :applica'tion February '1,

1952,; Serial N0.:269;537

16' Claims. (Cl."'7813) Tshisinvention relates to-the-writing instrument art and 15 .15 particularly directed to an apparatus for constructing aball. point pens. This invention finds particular usefulvvness incconnection withpreparing asocket in the pentip "forxreception. of .a writing ball in order that-apen of a superior writing performance may be obtained.

This application is a division of my copending applicaball.

Anotherobject isuto provide improved apparatus for preparing sockets of this type-by enlargement of a cavity in the pen tip "by insertion and withdrawal of a ball ele- -ment which is larger than the writing ball to be mounted in the socket.

Another object is to provide apparatuscapablerof producing.sockets on amass production basis with-a mini- ;mum. of variation in-the shape and dimensions of the sockets.

Other objects and advantageswillappear-more fully here'inafter.

:In thedrawings:

l-figure 1'is asectional elevation-on an enlarged scale :showing a preferred formgofi-apparatus for carrying :out

the method contemplated by my invention.

Figures 2, 3, 4 and -5 are gsectional details on a larger scale showing theprogressive steps'in gprepariu a socket tin -a pen tip 'for subsequent-reception of a writing ball.

:Figure -6 is-an end view of the cavity in the pen tip takeninthe-direetion shown by line 6:'6 inFigureZ and -.'-illustrating the-shape of the cavity ,before entrance of :the oversize ball element.

Figure -7- isa similar end viewtaken in the direction of the line 7-7 as shownin-Figure 5 and showing certain features of the cavity after the oversizeball element is withdrawn.

aFigure 8 is an elevation'view illustrating a preferred method of inserting a writing ball into "the socket prelviou'slylprepared.

Eigure 9is a-sectional view showing the writingball in position within the socket in the pen tip.

Figure 10Fis asectionalview similar to Figure '9 shown one. smaller scale 'and illustrating theassembly ofthe writing ball,-pen tip, ink reservoir, and the shell .of .the pen.

-Figure11 is a sectionalplan viewtaken substantially on the-line 11- 11 as shown in Figure 11.

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the.,stake:gripping device t-aken substantially on the line r1,2112.as..s 'hown'in figure 1. t

"Figure =13 is a side elevation in diagrammatic iorm ice showing a preferred form of apparatus for raising and lowering the actuating plunger.

Figure 14 is a sectional elevation showing a'modified form of device tfOl" swaging the lower end of'thepen'tip 5 'to provide' aretaining lip for the writing ball.

Figure 15 is asectional view similar to-Figure 9'showing a writing ball-positioned within asocket-torrnedby means of the mandrel illustrated in 'Figure- 14 Referring to the "drawings, a stationary block 10*may 10 be anchored to the horizontal'surface 11 'byany'con- *venient means ('not'shown) and is'rigidly' connected'toa body 12 by means-of a plurality of screw elementsflfi. The body 12'is externally threaded'at'1'4 to receive-the mating internal threads -15-providedwithin the die holder 16. A die 17 is fixed within a central recess 18 provided inthe die holder 16, and the die 17 .is provided'with an axial bore 19 extending 'therethrough. The upper end of 'the'bore 19 is flared-to provide'a conical bowl 20 having converging sides.

. A mandrel comprising "an oversize ball element "21 fixed on the-upper-end"of a'cylindrical rod or stake 22 is slidablyreceived within the bore 19. and depends downwardly therefrom. Gripping means are provided to hold the stake 22 and oversize-ball element 21 inposition, and as shown this meansincludes a pair of substantially identical frictional grips 23 encircling 'the stake 22. and positioned within'a recess 24 provided inthe retainer25. AIpair of set screws 26, is threaded into theretainer '25 and-contacts the grips '23in'order'to confine thestake 22 under pressure between the grips 23.

The retainer 25 is 'slidably mounted within a central aperture 27 providedintheupper end of-the 'body"12. The lower end ofthe-retainen25 is' of enlargeddiameter and thus provides a shoulder 28 adapted to -contactithe annular abutment'29 provided at the upper'end of the central opening 30 extending axially of the body l2. Resilient means are provided 'for maintaining the retainer '25 at its uppermost position, and as'shownthis'mea ns may include a pair' of guides 31 and '32 slidably mounted within the opening 30 and separated "by .a compression spring 33. Fromthis description it will "be'understood that ithe stake 22'and oversize 'ball element 21'are"resiliently mountedfor'axial 'movementwi'th respect to the "die 17 and bowl '20. An'adjusting screw 34 is provided in "the'base10for movingthelower guide '"32 to adjustthe force exerted by the spring 33.

A cylindrical wall "35 provided'on theupper endof the "body 12 is adaptedto be received within the cylindrical recess '36 tformed in the 'die'holder 16, sothatthe "die "holder-16 antibody 12 are maintained'in strict axialalignment regardless of'the relative position of the threads 14 and 15. yA screw 37 is provided' in the die'holder l6 and :adaptedto drive a softplug38 into engagement with -the 5 .threadsr14zto holdlthezb dy-lzdie-holderlsin l -l'sted position.

A cap member 39 is provided with;a cylindrical bore '40 adapted to receive'the cylindrical wall 41 formed ion the die,holder,16. A-pluralitypf compression springs 42 0 are provided-for.lifting=the cap 39 infaxial sliding movement with respect to the .die'holder 1'6. Theexten't of .this movement is limited by contact of the heads 43- of boltelements 44 with the annularshoulders '45 formed in the die holder 16. The'bolts 44-extencl through aperr tures 46 inthe die holder lo andare received in threaded openings 47 provided in the cap member.39. From this '3 Figure 10, this nose tip 50 is positioned at the extreme end of the pen, generally designated 51. The nose tip 50 is assembled into the pen structure after the installation of the writing ball 52.

Means are provided for moving the nose tip 50 toward the oversize ball element21 and bowl 20, and as shown in Figures 1 and 13 of the drawings this means may include an actuating plunger 53 extending downwardly from a power cylinder 54. The cylinder 54 may be carried on any suitable form of frame 55 which also supports the die holder block 10. The power cylinder 54 may be actuated in any convenient fashion to cause the actuating piston 53 to descend upon the nose tip 50 and then to return to its initial position. As shown in Figure 13, a four way valve 56 may be'provided which communicates with opposite ends ofthe power cylinder 54 by way of conduits 57 and 58 and which is provided with an exhaust opening 59.

Fluid pressure may be supplied to the valve 56 by way of the supply pipe 60. Control of the four-way valve 56 may be provided by anysuitable means such as, for example, the electrical switch member 61 which is provided with a timer 62. When the actuating button 63 is depressed, electrical energy supplied by the leads 64 passes through the cable 65 to energize the'four-way valve 56. Fluid pressure is introduced into the power cylinder 54 via the conduit 57 and exhausted through conduit 58 and exhaust nipple 59. This action causes the piston 66 within the power cylinder 54 to descent and carry the actuating rod 53 downwardly. The timer mechanism GZ-may be adjusted to provide any period of dwell and after this time interval has elapsed the timer 62 automatically reenergizes the four-way valve 56. This action pressurizes the conduit 58 and allows the power cylinder 54 to exhaust through the conduit 57 and exhaust nipple 59. This cycle is repeated whenever the actuating button 63 is depressed.

The mandrel head or oversize ball element 21 is slightly larger in diameter than the writing ball 52. The writing ball 52, for example, may be one millimeter in diameter, or about 0.0394 inch in diameter. In such case the oversize ball element may be about 0.0398 inch in diameter, and in accordance with my invention this oversize ball element 21 is thrust into the cavity provided at the extreme end of the nose tip 50 to enlarge the dimensions thereof. The oversize ball element 21 is withdrawn to permit subsequent insertion of the writing ball 52.

The sequence of operations of inserting and withdrawing the oversize ball element 21 is clearly shown in Figurcs 2, 3, 4 and 5. Instead of a ball the mandrel head may be formed as a cylinder, as shown in Figure 14, or may take any other suitable shape as long as its major diameter exceeds the diameter of the writing ball. As shown in these figures, the nose tip 50 is provided with an axially extending cylindrical cavity 67 having an open end 68and terminating in a conical shoulder 69 which communicates with a restricted passage 70. The restricted passage 70 is broached in a noncircular pattern which may be triangular in shape as shown at 71 in Figure 6. Accordingly, the restricted passage 70 includes a plurality of broached slots 72. The upper end of the restricted passage 70 opens into a central ink chamber 73.

As shown in Figure 2, the nose tip 50 is moved downwardly toward the oversize ball element 21 and toward the bowl provided in the die 17. As the nose tip 50 moves downwardly the oversize ball element 21 enters the open end 68 of the cylindrical cavity'67 to enlarge the bore thereof. The cavity 67 is originally formed slightly smaller in diameter than the oversize ball element; for example,-if the ball element is 0.0398 inch in diameter the cavity may be reamed to 0.0370 inch in diameter. The nose tip 50 may be formed of any suitable or desirable material, and it has been found that brass is admirably suited for. this part. oversize ball element 21, the

4 stake 22, and the die 17 are preferably formed of harder material such as heat treated steel.

Accordingly, continued downward movement of the nose tip 50, as shown in Figure 3, causes the oversize ball element 21 to enlarge the lower end 74 of the cavity 67. The oversize ball element 21 and stake 22 may remain substantially stationary until the ball element engages the conical surface 69, at which point the equator 84 of the ball element lies within the cavity. As shown in Figure 4, continued downward movement of the nose tip 50 brings the extreme lower edge of the tip into engagement with the downwardly converging walls of the bowl 20. The oversize ball element 21 and stake 22 move downwardly, causing the retainer 25 to compress the spring 33. Downward motion of the nose tip 50 is arrested by engagement of the cooperating surfaces 75 and 76 on the cap member 39 and die retainer 16 respectively. When these surfaces meet in engagement the extreme lower end of the nose tip 50 has been coined or swaged within the bowl 20 to provide a retaining lip 77 having a smaller entrance opening than the diameter of the writing ball 52. The downward force on the nose tip 50 thus squeezes the metal at the extreme lower end of the tip and causes it to flow around the oversize ball element 21. The dimensions of the cavity 67 are therefore further modified. An additional minor deformation of the metal of the nose tip 50 occurs at the points of contact of the oversize ball element 21 with the tapered surface 69, and these points of contact are converted into surface areas 78, as shown in Figure 7.

After a predetermined time interval the nose tip 50 may be separated from the oversize ball element 21 and die 17. This time interval is determined by the period of dwell as set on the timer 62. The timer 62 causes the four-way valve 60 to effect upward movement of the plunger 53 as described above, so that no longer is any downward force exerted on the nose tip 50. The compression springs 42 then serve to separate the cap member 39 and die 17. The oversize ball element 21 and stake 22 move upwardly until the shoulder 28 strikes the abutment 29. Continued upward movement of the cap 39 under influence of the force applied by the compression springs 42 pulls the nose tip 50 away from the oversize ball element 21. The retaining rim 77 is sufiiciently resilient to permit the oversize ball element to be withdrawn, and the spring back of the metal returns it to the approximate size shown in Figure 4. The nose tip 50 is then ready for the installation of the writing ball 52.

In Figure 8 I have shown a preferred method of installing a writing ball within the socket 79. A nose tip 50 having a socket 79 prepared in the manner just described is grasped manually or by any other convenient means and is thrust into a receptacle 80 containing hundreds or thousands of balls lying loose in the receptacle 80. The halls are not dry but on the contrary are mixed with a quantity of the ink fluid of the type which will later be used to fill the ink chamber 73. The nose tip 50 is simply thrust into the receptacle 80 and pushed downwardly through the mush formed of balls and ink. Although no attempt is made to insert any particular ball into the socket, some one of the many writing balls is caught within the open end of the socket and is thrust into the socket 79 when the ball strikes the bottom of the receptacle.

This method of installation is very rapid, is economical to perform on a mass production basis, and has other outstanding advantages. Among these advantages is the highly desirable feature of providing an immediate check on the installation of the writing ball 52. A scratch pad (not shown) may be placedadjacent the receptacle 80 and the writing qualities of the assembly of the nose tip Strand writing ball 52 may be checked immediately. This check may be performed on each one of the assemblies in turn or only occasionally as desired. This method, furthermore, provides a very convenient solution to the rather difficult assembly operation of installinga particnlarvball in aparticular socket. A;further,a dvantage of this method of assembly is thattheball is-lubricated with ink at-the instant of its assembly into the socket, and therefore the danger of seizingor gallingof thesocket surface is avoided. The writing ball 52 is held in place by theretaininglip 77 which v.isresilient enough to allow the writingball to be snapped into place and then springs back. to prevent. the ball from falling out of the socket 79.

Since the writingball 521i5 slightly smaller-than the oversize ball element 21, the dimensions of the socket 79 permit the ball element 52 to rotate in any direction and to carry. a film of ink upon it at all times. The writing ball 52. is supported-by the three concave surfaces '78 which contact only ,a relatively small portion of the total area of the writing ball 52. Virtually the entire ball area within the socket 79 is available for contact with the ink fluid. This ink fluid is stored inthe reservoir tubes which is fixed to the nosepiece 50.and extends within the shell 51 of the pen. This reservoir tube 81 and the bore 73 may be, filled ,with, ink after assembly of the tube 81 on the nose piece 50 and before installation of the nose piece 50 within the shellSl.

In Figure 14 I have shown a modified form of apparatus for coining or swaging the retaining lip on the lowerend of the nose tip 50. The mandrel may comprise a ball element on the end of a stake as described above, or-may comprise a cylindrical stern 22a. having an enlarged cylindricalhead 21a. .The upper end 89 of the mandrel head may be conical and adapted to fit the frusto-conical surface 69 formed in the pen tip 50. The mandrel head 21 may bethrust into the socket until the surfaces 89 and 69 meet in contact, the cylindrical surface of the mandrel serving to enlarge the bore of the socket 79a. The extreme end of the nose tipSt) isthen rolled by ba ll members '85 which are retained within an outer race 86. "A retaining lip 77a is thus formed. It desiredthe stern 22a may-be of sufficient size so that the retaining lip 77a is rolled into contact with it by means of the ball members 85.

A spinner member 87 is adapted to receive the outer race as a press fit, and this spinner member is mounted on a bearing 88. The spinner 87 is rotated by means (not shown) to cause the ball elements 85 to roll around the axis of the stem 22 as a center. The member 17a serves as a guide for the stem 22 as previously described. Downward motion of the nose tip 50 causes the mandrel head 21a to enter and enlarge the cavity, and a continued downward motion brings the extreme end of the nose tip 59 into contact with the rotating balls 85. The retaining lip 77a is thus rolled over the outer surface of the mandrel.

It is to be understood that either form of mandrel may be employed with either of the forms of the apparatus shown.

As shown in Figure the socket 79a has a smaller contact area with the writing ball 52 than does the socket '79 which is formed by means of the oversize ball element 21.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for preparing a socket in the tip of a ball point pen for reception of a writing ball, comprising in combination: a carrier for the pen tip, a relatively stationary die having a tapered bowl and a central opening, an oversize ball element of larger diameter than the writing ball fixed on an axially projecting stake, the stake being smaller in diameter than the writing ball and being slidably mounted in the central die opening, resilient means acting to resist movement of the stake relative to the die, means supporting the carrier for relative movementaxially ,of said stake, means {or-effecting, relativemovementof the pen tipltowardsaid bowl torinsert the overside ball element-into the socketandto cause the convergingsides of the-jdie'bowl'to swage the end of'thepen tip over-the oversize ball ,element,.and resilient means for separating thedie and carrier .andto eifect-withdrawal of, the oversize ballelement fromrsaid pentip.

2. 'Adevice" for preparing asocket in the tip .of, a ball point pen for reception of a writing ball, comprisingin combination: a carrier for the pen tip, a relatively, stationary die havinga tapered bowl and a centraliopeningwa mandrel'havingastem and a head of larger .diameter than the stem,1 the stem being slidably received in the central, die opening, a support fixed to the mandrel stem and mounted for vertical axial sliding movement relative to the, stationary die member, stop meanslimiting the upward.movementofsaid support, resilient means for moving the. supportragainst the stop means, means ,slidably mounting the carrier for vertical axial movement relative to the stationary .die, spring means acting to move the carrier upwardly away from the stationary die, a. plunger movable downwardly to engage the pentip to move it and said carrier toward said bowl to insert the mandrehhead intothe socket, said movement acting to cause theconverging sides of the diebowl to swage the end of the pen tip against the mandrel head, the spring means acting to move the, carrier and pen tip away from the stationary die .in effect to withdraw the mandrel from ,the socket through the swaged end ofthe pen tip upon. the upward movementof the plunger.

3. A device forpreparing a socket in the tip ofaball point penfor reception of a writing ball,- comprising in combination: a carrier for the pen tip, a relatively stationary die having a tapered bowl and a central. opening, a mandrel'having a stem and ahead of larger diameter than'the-stem, the stem being slidably received in-the central die opening, a support slidably mounted for ver- 'tical axialwmovementrelative to the stationary die memberyclampmeans -for adjustably securing the stem to .said-support stop means limitingthe upward movement of said support, resilient means for moving the support against the stop means, means slidably mounting the carrier for vertical axial movement relative to the stationary die, spring means acting to move the carrier upwardly away from the stationary die, a plunger movable downwardly to engage the pen tip to move it and said carrier toward said bowl to insert the mandrel head into the socket, said movement acting to cause the converging sides of the die bowl to swage the end of the pen tip against the mandrel head, the spring means actting to move the carrier and pen tip away from the stationary die in effect to withdraw the mandrel from the socket through the swaged end of the pen tip upon the upward movement of the plunger.

4. A device for preparing a socket in the tip of a ball point pen for reception of a writing ball, comprising in combination: a stationary body having a central bore at its upper end communicating with a central axial opening of larger diameter, the body having a downwardly facing stop shoulder positioned between the bore and the opening, a stationary die supported on the body and having an axial opening communicating with a tapered bowl at its upper end, a support mounted for sliding movement within the body bore, resilient means for moving the support upwardly to engage said stop shoulder, a mandrel having a stern and a head of larger diameter than the stem, the stem being slidably mounted within the die opening, means for securing the stem to said support, a carrier for a pen tip, means slidably mounting the carrier relative to the body for vertical movement relative thereto, spring means operatively interposed between the body and the carrier for raising the carrier relative to the body, and a downwardly movable plunger adapted to move the pen tip and carrier downward to cause the mandrel head to enter the socket and to cause the converging sides of the die bowl to swage the end of the pen tip against the mandrel head, said spring means acting to lift the carrier and pen tip in effect to withdraw the mandrel from the socket upon upward movement of the plunger.

5. A device for preparing a socket in the tip of a ball point pen for reception of a writing ball, comprising in combination: a stationary body having a central bore at its upper end communicating with a central axial opening of larger diameter, the, body having a downwardly facing stop shoulder positioned between the bore and the opening, a stationary die supported on the body and having an axial opening communicating with a tapered bowl at its upper end, a support mounted for sliding movement within the body bore, resilient means for moving the support upwardly to engage said stop shoulder, a mandrel having a stem and a head of larger diameter than the stem, the stern being slidably mounted within the die opening, clamp means on the support for adjustably securing the stem to said support, a carrier for a pen tip, means slidably mounting the carrier relative to the body for vertical movement relative thereto, spring means operatively interposed between the body and the carrier for raising the carrier relative to the die holder, and a downwardly movable plunger adapted to engage the pen tip to move the pen tip and carrier downward to cause the mandrel head to enter the socket and to cause the converging sides of the die bowl to swage the end of the pen tip against the mandrel head, said spring means acting to lift the carrier and pen tip in effect to withdraw the mandrel from the socket upon upward movement of the plunger.

6. A device for preparing a socket in the tip of a ball point pen for reception of a writing ball, comprising in combination: a stationary body having a central bore at its upper end communicating with a central axial opening of larger diameter, the body having a downwardly facing stop shoulder positioned between the bore and the opening, a stationary die holder adjustably 8 mounted on the body, a stationary die on the die holder having an axial opening communicating with a tapered bowl at its upper end, a support mounted for sliding movement within the body bore,.resilient means for moving the support upwardly to engage said stop shoulder,

a mandrel having a stem and a head of larger diameter than the stem, the stem being slidably mounted within the die opening, clamp means on the support for adjustably securing the stem to said support, a carrier for a pen tip, means slidably mounting the carrier on the die holder for vertical movement relative thereto, spring means interposed between the die holder and the carrier for raising the carrier relative to the die holder, and a downwardly movable plunger adapted to engage the pen tip to move the pen tip and carrier downward to cause the mandrel head to enter the socket and to cause the converging sides of the die bowl to swage the end of the pen tip against the mandrel head, said spring means acting to lift the carrier and pen tip in eflEect to withdraw the mandrel from the socket upon upward movement of the plunger.

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